Page 76 of Relentles
“What took you so long?” Axel screamed. “He was about to kill me with his fucking fists.”
Ransom whooshed the bat through the air. “Rule’s on his way.”
“What?” Ryan cried, his voice cracking.
“He’s going to pray for us while we beat Wally’s ass,” he said, not cracking a smile.
Ryder held up his bow. “It’s brand new. We just bought it at the mall to deal with Wally.” He motioned for Axel, who ran between his brothers. “Even if he’d killed you, we would’ve avenged your death, bro.”
“I still would’ve been dead.”
“Not by us, and I could’ve drunk a beer.”
Axel burst into tears. “I’m going to tell Dad you still want me dead, dick brain,” he sobbed. “I did everything you told me to do with the slingshot.”
“It was much better than the worms you wanted to throw on Wally, right, bro?” Ryder asked with a smile.
Willard took a step toward them.
Immediately, Ransom swung his bat, although Willard was too far away for any damage to be done. Meanwhile, Wally continued bawling like a fucking baby.
“Back me up, bro,” Ryder said to Ransom. “I need my arrow back. That shit cost money.”
“I told you that we should’ve poisoned the tip,” Axel said sullenly, still sniffling.
“Then the Byrds won’t have time to repent,” Rule said, walking into the fray, along with Rory, Devon, Mark JB, and Lou. “Everyone should have that chance. Don’t you agree, Ryan?”
Why was the motherfucker singling him out?
“Uh, y-yeah, Rule. O-of course,” Ryan stammered.
Rory lit a cigarette, took it between his fingers, walked to where Wallace sat and kicked him.
If Ransom wasn’t ready to swing that bat, Willard would’ve gone to his little brother.
“We have a meatshack,” Rory started, crouching down. “I’ve been looking for a live body to practice on. Dad would help me, too. You know him, right, Wally? Johnnie Donovan?Mattie’sfather. We decided to handle it between us, but if you fuck with my sister again, I’m telling him. Even if I have to fucking pay him, I’m going to see what it feels like to carve up a motherfucker, usingyouas my specimen. Understand me?”
Trying to control his tears, Wally nodded.
Ryan realized that his nose was probably broken, but the open skin wasn’t as traumatic as he’d first believed.
Rory kicked Wally again, then stood. He turned to Willard. The arrow still protruded from his shoulder, so there wasn’t much blood leaking from the wound. “I haven’t forgotten that night when you broke all my shit. Dad probably won’t allow me to keep your hearts in a jar, but I might ask him anyway ifyou don’t keep your fucking brother away from my little sister, motherfucker.”
Willard grabbed Rory by the throat and shoved him to the ground. Before he moved, Ransom swung the bat with such force, the crunch of breaking bones filled the space.
“Damn, I should’ve bought a bat,” Mark JB lamented, ignoring Willard’s yell of pain as Rory stood.
“Now, fuck face.” Ryder nodded to Rule. “Pray for him or throw holy water on him or whatever.”
Rule scowled, stepped up to Willard and made the sign of the cross. “Go for it,” he ordered.
Smiling, Ryder yanked the arrow from Willard’s shoulder. Blood began to trickle from the wound. Ransom positioned himself like a major league batter, obviously about to swing at Willard’s head.
“Wait!” Axel yelled because Ryan was too fucking shocked to open his mouth. “Don’t kill him. Mom isn’t ready for this, and she’s been through enough.”
“Yeah, you’re right, bro,” Ransom conceded. He amended his position, aimed and whacked Willard’s ribs.
Howling in pain, he dropped to his knees and vomited.
